Instead of reading off the teleprompter at the start of the show and talking about the gala to benefit the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT film preservation, Urie went off script.

‘Good evening and welcome to the 84th annual Academy Awards. My name is Michael Urie and I’ll be your host tonight at the Dolby Theatre. Let’s get the show underway with our first award of the evening, the Oscar for best supporting actress. Please welcome Nick Nolte and Anna Kendricks!’

In case the audience was wondering what the heck he was talking about, Urie made his intentions clear: ‘See Neil and Craig, that’s what it would be like if I was the guy. I know you’ve already got Seth MacFarlane but is the ink dry? Maybe he’ll get a cold? Something could happen to him.’

Then, referring to Eddie Murphy dropping out last year and being replace by Billy Crystal Urie said: ‘I’ve heard Oscar hosts sometimes quit.’

‘I’m the guy, I’m perfect for it. I went to Julliard, I can act, I can sing. You know that! I was in your show, on Broadway, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. And in fact, I was in the replacement cast. So I can replace Seth MacFarlane.’

Urie, best known for his role on ABC’s Ugly Betty, is currently starring in the CBS sitcom Partners.